Viber

Use of social media and mobile instant messaging services has exploded in Afghanistan over recent years. Social media users and civil rights groups reacted with outrage to initial reports of the move and the letter sent by telecoms regulator ATRA was widely shared on social media.

Indian security agencies are unable to decrypt some of the communication on platforms like WhatsApp to readable formats for various reasons such as technical as well as legal and regulatory policy, Parliament was informed on Friday.

Welcoming the proposal to regulate domestic Internet call services provided by apps like WhatsApp and Viber, industry body Assocham has said that the government should expand the scope of regulation to all kind of communication services offered by over the top players.

A government panel on Net neutrality has proposed to regulate domestic calls made using Internet-based calling applications such as Skype, Whatsapp and Viber at par with phone call services offered by telecom operators.

Internet service providers' body ISPAI has suggested that regulator TRAI adopt 'same services same rule' to define Net Neutrality while agreeing that there should be no discrimination in accessing the Internet in terms of pricing or speed.

As a debate rages on 'net neutrality', a discussion paper floated by regulator TRAI has said that mobile applications providing free internet-based calls and messaging services can be a threat to individual and national security.